Racer XRace Report: Utah

A season once defined by the depth of competition had morphed into one headlined by domination. Late in the season, two riders took their performances to the next level, and turned what could have been a nail biting championship fights into runaway romps. And thus both the 450 and 250 championships were up for grabs at the next-to-last series round.

To prove their mastery of all terrains, the two would-be champions of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship would have to continue their run at all-new Built Ford Tough Utah National at Miller Motorsports Park. The race was a sharp contrast from last week's action at Unadilla in New York, yet the results ended up startilingly similar. And with that, it was enough Ryan Villopoto and Eli Tomac to claim the 450 and 250 National Championships.

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Off the line in the first 450 moto, JGR Toyota Yamaha's Justin Brayton (not pictured) came from the outside to lead everyone into the first turn. But Ryan Villopoto (2) knifed inside to steal the lead at the exit of turn one.

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Villopoto’s incredible speed from Unadilla carried right over to Utah, as he immediately began opening up a gap on the field.

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Trey Canard (41), James Stewart and Ryan Dungey began a battle for second.

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Stewart, suffering from a neck injury inflicted last week, was running in fourth at one point but eventually pulled off. Dungey (1) would come through for second, while Canard pulled held on for a third.

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After a rough season, Tyla Rattray finally put himself back among the front runners with a strong fourth.

In the second moto, Ryan Sipes (35) grabbed the Motorcycle-Superstore.com holeshot on his Rockstar Energy Racing ride, but Villopoto, Dungey and Canard (41) were right there with him.

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Soon Villopoto was into the lead again. It was crazy back there behind him, though!

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Sipes bobbled and Dungey took over second, and the race was on between the two title contenders. Dungey needed to beat Villopoto to prevent handing over his number one plate, and he hustled early.

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Once again though, Villopoto’s speed was too much, and he inched away from Dungey to notch his fourth-straight moto win.

A good battle for third emerged late, with Canard and his teammate Justin Barcia. Barcia pushed Canard all the way to the end, but Canard held on for 3-3 scores and third overall.

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Barcia had a rough first moto, as he was trying to get into the top ten before being taken down by Malcolm Stewart--the move was blatant enouhg by Malcolm that it would appear obvious that Barcia did something to deserve it. “Supposedly I did something before that, but nothing that I can remember,” said Barcia. He bounced back in moto two for fourth, with a messed up header pipe, too. And Peick was a darned hero again with another fifth!

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Villopoto's 1-1 was enough to seal up the 2013 championship a round early. He's won an outdoor title in every full season he has ever completed!

In the first 250 moto, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Martin Davalos grabbed the Motorcycle-Superstore.com holeshot, but pressure was quickly applied by about ten riders. The 250 class is nut in the opening laps. Zach Osborne was eventually able to get into the lead on his GEICO Honda.

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Rookie Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Adam Cianciarulo came out of his shell in this one, running hard early and making a charge for second at one point.

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But then, Eli Tomac came through the pack, as usual, and started chewing up the field. Cianciarulo bobbled, Tomac took second, and then caught and passed Osborne for the lead.

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Blake Baggett got a bad start, but he put on one of his old El Chupacabra charges and started moving forward. He was able to get around Osborne and then get into a battle with his teammate Cianciarulo for second.

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Ken Roczen (94) needed to stop Tomac from opening his points lead up, but he got a bad start and was only able to work his way up to fourth by moto’s end. His Red Bull KTM teammate Marvin Musquin was there with him.

Tomac pulled out his seventh-straight moto win, with Baggett much improved in second. Cianciarulo’s third was a much-needed podium breakthrough.

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In moto two, Justin Bogle put his GEICO Honda up front early and led a few laps. Again, the pack was furious behind him as a tremendous battle broke out.

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Roczen was on the gas early in this one and determined to stave off the Tomac championship celebration. He tracked down Bogle and took off with the lead.

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Tomac battled through that furious pack to get to third, and then got his teammate Bogle for second. Then a furious windstorm broke out and dust from the infield started flying everywhere! Tomac had more trouble to deal with when his rear brake began to fade. After a few laps, the wind settled down (slightly) Tomac's brakes came back, and he went after Roczen. They battled hard with a few passes, but eventually Tomac was around him and heading to his eighth-straight moto win.

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Roczen’s second would have been barely enough to prevent Tomac from clinching the title, but Baggett had come from the back with a furious charge and got to Roczen’s rear wheel on the last lap. The title was hanging in the balance as Baggett and Roczen battled, and Baggett managed to make the pass. He did go temporarily off the track, but then Roczen passed him back, anyway. After the next turn, Baggett cleared a double that Roczen couldn't, and Baggett moved into second again. MX Sports race officials ruled that while Baggett had gone off the track, he did not make the final pass on Roczen until the next turn, so he was not penalized.

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Tomac was shocked to have won so quickly. Roczen battled back hard against Baggett but ended up missing second place by mere inches, and that was enough to give Tomac the title. He's your new 250 National Champion! Tomac and his team celebrated on the podium, which had to have the backdrop taken down due to all the wind. It was a crazy final moto of the day!